Spain, circa 1930
This ornate Art Deco era 18K gold and platinum pendant features a carved bone bust of praying Madonna shaded with purple, brown and gold paint. The carving is executed in Spanish medieval taste.
The pendant is designed to resemble a double arched medieval window. The depiction of Madonna is set against a shaded blue plique a jour enamel background and flanked by two stylized Art Deco shells.
Plique-à-jour (French for “letting in daylight”) is a vitreous enamelling technique which resembles stained glass. The technique was especially popular in the 1890s and early 1900s.
The gold bezel and bail are accented with small platinum inserts set with old cut diamonds.
The enamel is in excellent condition. The paint on bone is rubbed.
The pendant measures without bail 40 x 33 mm (1 5/8 x 1 5/16 in.)
